The Agent's Surrender

by Kimberly Van Meter

  “Someone didn’t spare any expense in the decor department,” Jane said, whistling beneath her breath. “Pharmaceuticals must be big business.”

  “Yeah, apparently big enough to fund your own personal hit squad,” Holden said, clearly referencing Penny Winslow. “Honestly, I don’t understand why Tessara Pharm still has government contracts. I would think this place would be like poison in the eyes of the U.S. government, seeing as one of their top executives was as corrupt as they come.”

  “Well, when you have the world’s best and brightest working for you, those little blemishes can be overlooked, apparently,” Jane responded with dry amusement.

  Holden grunted in agreement. “Get ready to be politely stonewalled,” he said as an impeccably dressed woman in a pencil skirt and pristine white blouse walked toward them with a pleasant smile. Both he and Jane flashed their badges, and the woman extended a cool hand first to Holden and then Jane.

  “Hello. My name is Selena Weston. Welcome to Tessara Pharmaceuticals.”

  “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. My name is agent Holden Archangelo and this is my partner, Jane Fallon.”

  “We’re always happy to help as we enjoy a good working relationship with many government agencies,” Selena said, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth that looked almost fake and made Jane feel self-conscious about her own teeth. Hell, everything about the woman made Jane want to freshen up, even though she knew the feeling was ridiculous. Maybe if the woman didn’t have the flawless skin of a baby or the impossible figure of a Barbie doll. “If you would just follow me...”

  The woman spun on her heel, drawing Holden and Jane away from the main lobby and into a private conference room with plush carpeting and a large cherrywood table surrounded by Italian leather chairs. “Please help yourself to a beverage and snacks. Mr. Rocha will be with you momentarily.”

  The woman exited the conference room, closing the door softly behind her. When Holden’s gaze didn’t linger in the woman’s direction, Jane suppressed a happy smile. “Not your type?” she asked casually, as if making conversation to kill time.

  “What? Plastic girl? No. Not enough muscle, and definitely not enough substance. I like a girl who can best me in the gym or collapse trying.”

  That smile she’d been suppressing peeped through. Jane was ridiculously charmed by the fact he was plainly referencing her. “Good to know.”

  “Yeah? You gonna fix me up with someone?”

  Her smile disappeared. “No,” she answered with a tiny bit of a growl, and he chuckled at her knee-jerk reaction. Two can play that game. “I wouldn’t want to subject any of my friends to you because I’d like to remain friends with them. Any matchmaking you’ll have to manage on your own.”

  “Little kitty has her claws out,” he said with a low, amused whistle. “I’d love to pursue this conversation later, perhaps over a glass of wine?”

  “In your dreams, Archangelo.” Time to switch the subject. “So we’re meeting with Rocha? This should be interesting.”

  “What’ll be more interesting is what Rocha will share.”

  “We both know nothing is the likely answer. And right now he’s listening to our entire conversation, I’ll wager.”

  “Of course. Why else bring us to a specific room and make us wait? Typical and a little cliché. Someone has been watching too many movies.”

  She smiled just as a door with an invisible seam opened in the wall and Rocha stepped out, giving Jane a momentary fright. She frowned to cover her surprise and straightened her jacket. “Tessara Pharma’s full of surprises, I see,” she said in a cool tone. “I didn’t realize secret doors and passageways were part of standard architecture for a pharmaceutical company.”

  Rocha smiled. “It’s a unique building. Came with the standard government-issue listening devices, too.”

  Aah, he had been listening.

  “Trying to get ahead of the pharmaceutical espionage? I didn’t realize finding the next best allergy medication is so cutthroat,” she said. Rocha only deepened his patronizing smile. Jane wanted to punch that smug look off his face, but Reed’s stern admonition rang in her ears: Keep things civil and don’t ruffle feathers. So she supposed it was time to play civil. “Thank you for meeting us. I can appreciate your busy schedule.” She shot Holden a wry look.

  Rocha took a seat in the big comfy leather chair at the head of the table and gestured, encouraging them to do the same. “ To what do I owe this pleasant surprise? It isn’t often we get agents asking questions around here. Most of the time all we see are more members of the geek squad. Very smart, but between them couldn’t lift a fully loaded sandwich.”

  Holden and Jane both offered a small smile in deference to his attempt at humor, but Jane could tell from Holden’s determined expression he was ready to jump in feetfirst, and that suited her just fine. “We know you came to Washington to discuss the Miko Archangelo case. First, we’d like to know how you came by such classified information. Second, we would like to know why Tessara Pharm would possibly care about that particular investigation.”

  Rocha leaned back in his chair. “As you know, we handle and facilitate many government contracts. I feel safe in saying that we are the premier pharmaceutical lab, handling ninety percent of the government’s clandestine chemical needs. The situation involving Penny Winslow and Miko Archangelo was a black eye to Tessara. Our stocks took a hit and our investors got nervous. We’ve worked hard to mitigate that unfortunate circumstance so, of course, we were less than thrilled when we heard the investigation had not been closed entirely. And frankly, it’s our belief that it was an error in judgment to allow a distraught family member to reopen the case when it’d been satisfactorily investigated and closed.”

  “That doesn’t answer the question of how you came across the information,” Holden maintained stubbornly, ignoring the dig. “This is a classified investigation. You should not have access to any of that information.”

  But Rocha wasn’t in the mood to satisfy their curiosity. Instead, he said, “Would you like a tour of the facility? We are proud of the work done here. Innovative, groundbreaking, brilliant work happens on these premises. Work far more involved than manufacturing the latest and greatest allergy medication.” He smiled at Jane. “I would consider it a true pleasure to escort you around the grounds. The north side is quite scenic with the manmade lake.”

  “That won’t be necessary. We’re not here as tourists,” Jane said, irritated at being treated like children who were easily distracted. “We’d like to see Penny Winslow’s personnel file.”

  Rocha shook his head with a look of chagrin. “Not without a warrant. I hate to be a stickler for the rules, but even in death we strive to protect the privacy of our people.”

  Holden leaned across the table. “You know I don’t need a warrant to see her personnel file because she’s dead. I would consider your cooperation a point in your favor that Tessara has nothing to hide, and I’m sure that will be taken into consideration when it comes time to award new contracts.” Holden drummed his finger on the table. “I can appreciate how embarrassed Tessara must’ve been with the whole Penny Winslow situation, but we may be dealing with a bigger threat, and your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.”

  “I see.” Rocha steepled his fingers. “And if I let you see Penny’s file, what do you think you’ll find?”

  “I’m not sure,” Jane cut in. “But I think it’s safe to say that Penny was a far more complex woman than any of you imagined. We’d also like to see all projects that she personally oversaw.”

  “I’m not sure Penny was actively involved in any projects,” Rocha said. “The executive branch rarely had personal dealings with ongoing projects.”

  “Even so, something tells me Penny was very hands-on. From what I know of her, she liked to stick her fingers in all sorts of pies,” Holden said.

  Rocha looked cornered but conceded with grace. “I’ll have the files collected. Was there anythin
g else I can help you with?”

  Holden’s eyes glittered. “Just one more thing—keep your nose out of our investigation,” Holden instructed with false cheer. He looked more dangerous wearing a smile than holding a gun. “The next time you come poking around where you don’t belong, you might find yourself out in the cold. Catch my drift?”

  Rocha chuckled as if Holden’s threat was faintly amusing, but he nodded. “Sure. And now if I may, a little advice from one former military man to another—careful where you step. You never know where the next mine might be.” Rocha rose and bowed slightly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to attend. Selena will see to all of your needs.”

  The invisible door opened with a soft snick and Rocha disappeared behind it. Jane and Holden shared a look before she admitted, “I totally want to see where that door goes.” Then she added with a wry twist of her mouth, “And damn him for having a cool secret door. I thought only castles had those.”

  Holden didn’t share her amusement. He dropped the cold congeniality and a darkness filled his gaze. “That man knows more than he’s telling.”

  Jane stopped joking around to agree. “Yes, but unless we find something to work with, he’s not going to voluntarily spill what he knows.”

  Selena appeared, impossibly pretty and perfect, and Jane almost quipped that the woman was probably made in a lab on the fourth floor. She kept her lip zipped, though, when Selena supplied the files they’d requested. “Mr. Rocha said you may take these copies with you. Is there anything else you require?” she asked politely, clasping her hands in front of her and waiting.

  “We’ll be in touch,” Holden said, scooping up the files.

  “We look forward to your next visit. Perhaps next time you can enjoy a walk around the lake. It’s so pretty.”

  Selena led them out of the building and waited until they were in the car to disappear back inside Tessara Pharma. Jane turned to Holden. “That was weird, right?”

  “Very.”

  “Tessara...they don’t, like, create people, right? That’s not even possible. Please tell me that’s not possible.”

  “Who knows what they do in that building. All I know is that place houses something bad and it’s up to us to figure out how it’s all connected.”

  Jane nodded, but a pinch of tension followed. “People connected to Tessara end up dead. Let’s not become part of the body count.”

  Holden put the car in Drive, and it wasn’t until Tessara was in their rearview window that Jane could breathe again.

  Chapter 11

  When they returned to Nathan’s house, they were in a lengthy discussion about the creepy factor of Selena the robo-babe when Nathan and Jaci walked into the living room to greet them. The worried tension in Jaci’s expression immediately made Holden wary. Something was going down. “Everything okay?” he asked. “You look like you’re about to be the bearer of bad news.”

  “Can we talk to you for a minute?” Jaci asked.

  Nathan wore a different kind of tension, and when he reached for Jaci’s hand in a show of support, Holden was momentarily envious of their devotion to one another. It must be amazing to have someone always watching your back, no matter what. Almost without thought, his gaze strayed to Jane and she seemed wary, watching the exchange with open speculation.

  “Let’s do this over a beer,” Nathan said, going to the kitchen to grab a few cold ones. “There’s no way to pretty up what has to be said, but it’ll sure as hell go down a lot easier with a little alcohol.”

  “Sounds serious. Are you dying?” Holden quipped, a tingle of apprehension jangling his nerves. It wasn’t like Nathan to beat around the bush, so he fully expected to find out quickly what all the fuss was about.

  “Not dying. At least not yet, and I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “You and me both, brother.” Holden swigged his beer, taking a moment to enjoy the crisp taste. “So out with it. What’s up your tail?”

  “It’s not him. It’s me,” Jaci said, coming clean as she folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but I’m scared about this investigation into Miko’s case and where it might lead. I don’t want Nathan to get caught up in your search for the truth.”

  “I tried to tell her nothing’s going to happen to me,” Nathan said. “But she has the right to be concerned. Some hinky stuff has happened when Tessara is involved.”

  “Your concerns may be warranted,” Jane said gravely. “I understand your anxiety. However, there’s an equal chance we won’t dig up anything and this investigation will end as it started—with Miko declared guilty of treason.”

  “Yeah, we get it,” Holden grumbled, hating the possibility. He understood where Jaci was coming from. She and Nathan had gone through hell the last time Tessara was involved, and if Tessara was truly involved again, who knew what lengths they’d go to protect their secrets?

  Nathan spoke up, looking intensely uncomfortable. “Listen, I’m not asking you to give up, but Jaci has a good point. What if there’s a bigger threat? Both my brother and I almost died the last time we went up against Tessara. Jaci doesn’t want me to take that chance again.”

  “I get it, man. I do,” Holden assured Nathan, because the guy looked like he was ready to vomit. It wasn’t because Nathan was scared but because he thought he was taking the coward’s way out and Holden knew it. The code of honor was ingrained in them all. “There’s no judgment. This could be dangerous. I shouldn’t have involved you. It’s my fault.”

  “It’s just that, look what happened to Jake,” Jaci said, miserable. “He’s never going to be the same. People who tangle with Tessara come out dead or damaged. And I don’t want that to happen to either of us or you. Have you even thought of that? You might have a huge target on your back just for poking around.”

  Holden couldn’t argue with Jaci’s logic. It was true Tessara had a long reach.

  Jane jumped in before he could. “We don’t even know that Tessara is actually involved,” she said gently, trying to calm Jaci’s fears. “Penny Winslow is the only connection to Tessara at this point. We could be wrong and there is no big conspiracy...just a sad story of a man with a guilty conscience.”

  But Jaci shook her head. “As much as I want to believe that, my gut says something else. I have a bad feeling about this investigation. Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, that Holden is right. There’s a possibility that the person actually pulling the strings is far more dangerous than Penny Winslow ever was. And if Nathan almost died going up against her—who was a lesser threat—what does that say for this newer threat? It scares me, Holden. Not just for me and Nathan, but for you, too.”

  “Miko was my closest friend,” Nathan said. “He always had my back and he protected me when everything turned to shit. I know I owe him more than what I’m doing and that makes me want to punch myself in the face.” Nathan folded Jaci into his arms, holding her tight before continuing. “But I have to think of Jaci’s safety, too. We’re planning on starting a family soon, and the threat hovering over our heads with you here...it’s more than I can allow. I’m sorry, man.”

  “No apologies needed,” Holden told Nathan, shaking his head, feeling for his friend’s predicament. “I know you always had Miko’s back and he wouldn’t want you to put your life in danger over something he’d done.”

  Jaci’s eyes sparkled with tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to be harsh because you seem like a good guy, but I didn’t know Miko and I barely know you. All I know is that I love this man right here and the thought of losing him for someone else’s fight is something I can’t handle. That’s not fair to either of us. I want a normal life, one that isn’t punctuated by moments of sheer terror because someone is trying to kill us. And now that I’ve said that, I sound totally selfish, don’t I?”

  “No, you don’t,” Jane said. “You have every right to assert your feelings into this situation. If I were you, I would, too. There’s potentially a lot at stake.
And you’ve already been through enough. No one would fault you for wanting to step outside the ring for this fight.”

  “You sure?” Jaci asked, sniffing back tears. “I wish I was more badass, like you. Then maybe I wouldn’t so scared.”

  Nathan pulled away with mock incredulousness. “What are you talking about? When we were holed up in the cabin and our safe house had been made, you beaned a guy with a frying pan. I’d say that’s pretty badass. We might be dead if not for your quick thinking.”

  Jaci giggled in spite of the gravity of the conversation, and once again Holden was envious of their bond. Damn, he was turning into a weepy woman. Holden finished his beer and placed the empty bottle on the counter. “That does sound pretty badass to me.”

  “Oh, my God, you guys know how to soothe a woman’s ego,” Jaci said, smiling, then added with the tiniest amount of pride, “It was pretty awesome.”

  Nathan hugged her tightly. “Damn straight.”

  The tension broken, Jaci said, “When times are different, you’re totally welcome in our house, I promise. I’ll even cook dinner and make a pie, but until then...you’re going to have to take your spy stuff elsewhere, okay?”

  “Can you recommend a good hotel?” Jane asked.

  “That I can do,” Jaci said, brightening. “Come with me.”

  * * *

  While Jane and Jaci hunted down a suitable hotel, Nathan and Holden went to the garage to pound down another beer, taking advantage of the bro time. “You know I feel like shit turning you out like this,” Nathan admitted.

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing to lose sleep over.”

  Nathan shook his head. “I want you to find the answers you’re looking for, but I’m in a lose-lose situation. On one hand, I want there to be a bigger answer, something other than what we know to account for Miko’s actions. But if that’s the case, then that means a bigger threat is hanging over all of us. And I have to protect Jaci.”